Police and Riot Control Forces Present Outside Some Gas Stations Hours After Sudden Gasoline Price Hike
Only hours after Iran’s government suddenly raised gasoline prices, images and public reports indicate the widespread presence of law enforcement and riot control police forces across the country. Voice of America cannot independently verify the accuracy of these reports.
Without prior announcement, the Iranian government suddenly declared on Friday morning, November 15th, that the price of regular non-rationed or open-market gasoline would be 3,000 tomans per liter. This represents a tripling of the open-market gasoline price. Previously, non-rationed gasoline cost 1,000 tomans per liter. The price of rationed regular gasoline was announced at 1,500 tomans per liter.
This price increase and rationing were implemented without prior notice. It appears that the Rouhani government and other branches of government agreed with this decision. According to Iran’s National Oil Products Distribution Company, the gasoline price increase was based on a resolution by the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination of the Heads of Branches.
With the decision of the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination of the Heads of Branches, gasoline has been rationed for all gasoline-powered vehicles.
Based on the new vehicle rationing list, the allocations will be as follows:
- Personal gasoline sedan, 60 liters
- Dual-fuel personal sedan, 30 liters
- Gasoline taxi, 400 liters
- Dual-fuel taxi, 200 liters
- Motorcycle, 25 liters
- Low-consumption gasoline van, 200 liters
- High-consumption gasoline van, 300 liters
In the new announcement, rationed gasoline prices increased by 50 percent compared to before, and open-market gasoline tripled.
The Islamic Republic’s oil revenues have experienced a severe decline over the past year due to United States sanctions.
The United States says the Islamic Republic spends its national wealth on supporting terrorist groups and destabilizing the Middle East rather than on its people. President Trump has offered direct negotiations to Iranian officials, but Ayatollah Khamenei has opposed any talks.
Source: Voice of America
